Exercise device

ABSTRACT

A skeletal frame is pivotally mounted on a support frame to enable a user in a supine position to conduct an abdominal exercise. The skeletal frame includes a padded rest in which the user may rest his/her head. A pair of elastic members are secured to and between these skeletal frame and the support in one mode of operation to assist the user in conducting the abdominal exercise. In another mode of operation, the elastic members dynamically resist the exercise routine. The exercise device may be employed to conduct a “push-up” exercise routine.

[0001] This invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly,this invention relates to an abdominal exercise device.

[0002] Heretofore, various types of exercise devices have been known forexercising various parts of the human body. One of the most populardevices which has been provided is an abdominal exerciser device asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,520 and 5,577,987. One of the reasonsfor the popularity of this exercise device is the fact that the head andneck of the user can be supported during an abdominal exercise routine,commonly known as an “ab crunch”. Further, the device is of relativelysimple construction and can be easily used.

[0003] Other types of exercise devices have been known such as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,425 that employ resistance means or elastic meansthat offer a resistance to movement, for example, of an upper backsupport or a foot restraint during an abdominal exercise.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,957 describes an aquatic abdominal exerciserapparatus that employs an air cylinder pivotally coupled between across-bar of an exerciser frame and a connecting bar of a support framein order to afford a predetermined amount of resistance to the relativemovement of the support frame and the exercise frame.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,361 describes the use of a stretchingexerciser that employs a hydraulic resistance cylinder that providesresistance to a forward pivoting movement of a back rest member relativeto a base. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,450 describes an abdominalexercise machine that employs a viscous fluid resistance cylinder orstacked weights to resist rotation of a chest pad during use of thedevice.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,284 describes the use of an abdominalexercising device that employs an adjustable belt that is tightenedacross the abdomen of a user and that is used in conjunction with anabdominal exercise device such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,520.As described, the belt includes an abdominal pad and elastic cords suchthat when a user rotates forward in a “crunch” type exercise, the pad incombination with the elastic cords provide direct resistance to theabdomen.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved abdominalexercise device.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to be able to obtain acomfortable and effect AB crunch workout employing an exercise devicewhich can be adjusted to the relative strength of the user.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide an exercisedevice with attachments to facilitate an abdominal exercise routine.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an exercisedevice that allows a user to carry out different types of exerciseroutines.

[0011] Briefly, the invention provides an exercise device comprising asupport frame and a skeletal frame mounted on the support frame forrocking back and forth under a manually applied force from a userbetween a first position and a second position. The skeletal frame alsoincludes a rest for receiving a body part of the user positioned withinthe skeletal frame. In addition, the exercise device employs means fordynamically increasing the resistance to rocking of the skeletal framerelative to the support frame from the first position to the secondposition.

[0012] In another embodiment, the means for dynamically increasing theresistance to rocking of the skeletal frame may be employed as a meansfor dynamically assisting rocking of the skeletal frame relative to thesupport frame from a lowered first position to a raised second position.

[0013] Conceptually, the invention is directed to a means which can beadded to an existing exercise device to increase the resistance torocking of the device or to assist in the rocking of the exercise deviceon a support frame.

[0014] As is known, as the human body conducts repetitive exercises overa period of time, the body adapts to the exercise routine so thatfurther benefits are not obtained by continued use. For example, a useremploying an exercise device as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,520and 5,577,987 over a period of time reaches a level where the exerciseroutine does not further enhance the muscles. In this case, the usershave employed weights, as described in the patents, to increase theresistance to rocking of the exercise device and to thereby enhance theexercise routine.

[0015] In accordance with this invention, instead of employing a staticweight load to increase resistance, use is made of a means thatfunctions to dynamically increase the resistance to rocking of theexercise device. That is to say, the greater the degree of rocking, thegreater the degree of resistance.

[0016] In cases where a user is in a beginner's stage, the user may nothave the strength to effect an effective abdominal exercise routine. Inthese cases, the invention instead of increasing the resistance torocking, employs the same means to dynamically assist the rocking of theskeletal frame relative to a support frame. In this case, the skeletalframe is mounted on the support frame so that the rest receives the headof a person in a raised position. When the user lies down within theskeletal frame, the user then places his/her head on the rest which isthen lowered under gravity against the force of the dynamic means.Consequently, when the user then rocks the skeletal frame forwardly toeffect an ab crunch, the dynamic means assists the user in rocking theskeletal frame forwardly. Gravity assists the user in returning to thesupine position.

[0017] The means that is employed for dynamically increasing theresistance to rocking may be in the form of a pair of shock absorbers,springs, hydraulic pistons, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, themeans for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking is in a formof a pair of elongated elastic members, each of which is secured to andbetween the support frame and the skeletal frame. Rocking of theskeletal frame on the support frame from a first lowered position of theskeletal frame to a raised second position causes stretching of theelastic members. Thus, when the pair of elongated elastic members are tobe employed as a means for dynamically increasing the resistance torocking, the two elastic members are placed to one side of the skeletalframe to resist rocking towards the opposite side. When the two elasticmembers are employed to assist in rocking of the skeletal frame, the twomembers are secured to the support frame on the opposite side of theskeletal frame.

[0018] In other embodiments, use may be made of springs secured betweenthe skeletal frame and support frame for biasing the skeletal frame inone or the other direction relative to the support frame.

[0019] In accordance with the invention, the exercise device may be usedto carry out exercise routines other than an ab crunch routine. Forexample, employing the means for dynamically assisting rocking of theskeletal frame such that the rest on the skeletal frame is in a raisedinitial position, the user may place his/her torso, for example, thechest area, on the rest while placing his/her hands on a supportsurface, such as a floor. Initially, the skeletal frame would rockdownwardly so that the rest engages the floor. The user would then carryout a “push-up”. During this time, the means for dynamically assistingthe rocking of the skeletal frame assists the user in lifting his/herbody. Thus, the exercise device may be employed to extend a push-uproutine or to, at least, assist the user in effecting a push-up.

[0020] The exercise device may also be provided with a pair of handleson the skeletal frame, each of which is disposed adjacent to the restfor manual grasping thereof during rocking of the skeletal frame on thesupport frame. These handles allow the user to hold onto the skeletalframe via the handles rather than another portion of the skeletal frame.This increases the effort required in order to carry out an ab crunch.

[0021] The exercise device may also be provided with a backrest securedto and across the skeletal frame for receiving the shoulders of the userwhile in a supine position.

[0022] The exercise device may be constructed of multiple parts, whichmay be interfitted together. The exercise device may be shipped in aflattened position in a suitable container or box. In addition, theexercise device may be taken apart by the user for storage in a compactmanner. The exercise device may be supported on any suitable support,for example, the support frame of the exercise device may simply beplaced on a floor to be disposed in a horizontal position. Also, theexercise device may be employed on various types of benches to be usedwhile the bench is in a horizontal or angular position.

[0023] Further, it is possible to mount the exercise device on avertical surface, such as a wall, in order to carry out an exerciseroutine.

[0024] These and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exercise deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a modified exercisedevice; and

[0027]FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the exercise device of FIG. 1 inposition for a push-up exercise program.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the exercise device 10 includes a supportframe 11 and a skeletal frame 12 that is mounted on the support frame 11for rocking back and forth under a manually applied force from a userbetween a first position as shown in FIG. 1 and a raised second position(not shown).

[0029] The support frame 11 includes a pair of pedestals 13 each ofwhich is bifurcated to have two upstanding legs 14. The pedestals 13 aredisposed in spaced apart parallel relation and each receives anelongated bar 16 that extends between and from the legs 14 to lendstability to the support frame 11. A cross-bar 17 is securedperpendicularly of and to the bars 16 by means of bolts 18 or any othersuitable means to maintain the pedestals 13 in secured relation to eachother.

[0030] The skeletal frame 12 includes a pair of curved rails 19 each ofwhich is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 20 between and to thelegs 14 of a pedestal 13. The skeletal frame also has a pair ofcross-bars 21 which are secured to and across the upper and lower endsof the rails 19. The two rails 14 and cross-bars 21 may be formed of asingle piece of tubing or the like or as shown, the cross-bars 21 areformed as U-shaped members interfitted into or onto the rails 19 andsecured in place by bolts 22 or any other suitable means, particularlyfor purposes of storage and transportation.

[0031] The skeletal frame 12 also carries a padded rest 23 for receivinga body part of a user positioned within these skeletal frame. Forexample, for purposes of conducting an abdominal exercise, the rest 23receives the head of a user. The rest 23 maybe secured to the lowercross-bar 21 in any suitable manner, for example, by means of a pair ofbolts that pass through the cross-bar 21 into the rest 23.

[0032] In accordance with the invention, means are provided fordynamically increasing the resistance to rocking of the skeletal frame12 relative the support frame 10 between the lowered positionillustrated and second raised position (not shown). This means is in theform of a pair of elongated elastic members 24, each of which is securedto and between the support frame 11 and the skeletal frame 12 so thatrocking of the skeletal frame 12 on the support frame 11 from theposition shown to a forward position causes stretching of the elasticmembers 24.

[0033] Each elastic member 24 is housed within a pair of telescopingtubes 25,26 for protection purposes and to form a single unit that maybe easily handled. In this respect, each end of an elastic member 24 issecured to one tube 25 or the other tube 26 so that as the elasticmember elongates and contracts, the tubes 25,26 slide relative to eachother.

[0034] The upper tube 25 is pivotally mounted on a headed pin 27 that ispositioned in a rail 19 of the skeletal frame 12 and is held in place bya nut 28 threaded onto the end of the pin 27. The lower tube 26 ispivotally secured to a pedestal 13 by a bolt 29 threaded into thepedestal 13.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment (not shown),each elastic member 24may have a loop at each end to fit over the pin 27 on a rail 14 and toreceive the bolt 29 for securement to a pedestal 13. in this embodimentthe elastic members 24 are exposed.

[0036] As illustrated, the two means for dynamically increasing theresistance to rocking are secured on the same side of the pivot axisi.e. axis of the pivot pins 20, as the padded rest 23. Thus, during useof the exercise device 10, a user would lie in a supine position withinthe skeletal frame 12 with the user's head resting on the padded rest23. Thereafter, the user would grasp the rails 19 or the upper cross-bar21 or may simply engage the forearms against the cross-bar 21. Rockingof the skeletal frame 12 forwardly would then act against the resistanceprovided by the two elastic members 24. Should a user decide not toemploy the elastic members 24, each may be simply detached from theskeletal frame 12 and/or support frame 11.

[0037] As illustrated, a back rest 30 is secured to and across theskeletal frame 12 for receiving a back of a user lying in a supineposition within the skeletal frame. In the illustrated embodiment, thisback rest 30 is in the form of a cloth strip having adjustable means(not shown) thereon for adjusting the cloth strip to and across therails 19 of the skeletal frame 11. When in use, the cloth strip 30receives the upper back of the user to lend support to the back of theuser.

[0038] The skeletal frame 12 also has a pair of handles 31, in the formof straps, secured to the lower cross-bar 21 of the skeletal frame 12adjacent to the padded rest 23. The handles 31 are disposed for manualgrasping thereof during pivoting of the skeletal frame 12 on the supportframe 11 in order to enhance an abdominal exercise. In this respect,instead of the user grasping or engaging the upstanding portions of therails 19 or the upper cross-bar 21, the user would instead grasp thehandles 31 in order to pivot the skeletal frame 12 forwardly on thesupport frame 11.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, a mat 32 is disposed between the rails 16 andover the cross-bar 17 to provide a smooth surface over the cross-bar 17in order to avoid discomfort to the back of the user.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, wherein in like reference charactersindicate like parts as above, the means for dynamically resistingrocking of the skeletal frame 12 on the support frame 11 may employ apair of hydraulic shock absorbers 33 which are connected to and betweena rail 19 of the skeletal frame 12 and a pedestal 13 of the supportframe 11.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, wherein like reference characters indicatelike parts as above, the exercise device 10 may be assembled with theelastic members 24 secured to each pedestal 13 on an opposite side of apivot axis, i.e., pivot axis of the pins 20, from the padded rest 23. Inthis case, the elastic members 24 serve as a means for dynamicallyassisting rocking of the skeletal frame 12 relative to the support frame11 from the lowered position shown in FIG. 1 to the raised positionshown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the skeletal frame 12 is in aforward position so that the padded rest 23 is in a raised position. Inorder to perform an exercise, the user would lie in a supine positionwithin the skeletal frame 12 with the user's head on the raised rest 23.Once positioned, gravity would cause the skeletal frame 12 to pivotrearwardly to lower the padded rest 22 until reaching the position asindicated in FIG. 1. This, in turn, would cause stretching of theelastic members 24. Thus, the elastic members 24 become biased so as toassist the user in pivoting the skeletal frame 12 forwardly on thesupport frame 11.

[0042] The mode of use of the exercise device 10 when employed in theposition indicated in FIG. 3 is particularly useful for a user oflimited muscular strength. Once the user has developed his/her muscles,the exercise device may be employed in the manner as described withrespect to FIG. 1.

[0043] The exercise device 10 may also be used to conduct a push-up whenconfigured in the manner of FIG. 3. In this case, instead of a userlying in a supine position within the frame 12, the user would lie facedown with his/her torso, for example, the chest area, on the padded rest23 while placing his/her hands on a support surface such as a floor.Initially, the skeletal frame 12 would rock downwardly so that the rest23 engages or comes near to the floor. The user would then carry out a“push-up”. During this time, the elastic members 24 would dynamicallyassist the rocking of the skeletal frame 12 upwardly thereby assistingthe user in lifting his/her body. Thus, the exercise device 10 maybeemployed to extend a push-up routine or to, at least, assist the user ineffecting a push-up.

[0044] In each of the embodiments, the support frame 11 is illustratedin a horizontal position, that is on a horizontal surface. The surfacemay be a floor, bench or any other suitable horizontal support surface.Also, it is possible to mount the exercise device 10 on a verticalsurface, such as a wall, in order to carry out an exercise routine. Forexample, with the support frame 11 secured to a vertical surface, a userin a stand-up position may push the outer cross-bar 21 forwardly anddownwardly while resting his/her head or back against the padded rest23.

[0045] The means to resist/assist an exercise routine may be readilyattached by a user to and between the skeletal frame 12 and the supportframe 11 and may be readily replaced by a stronger or weaker means tofit the needs of the user.

[0046] The invention thus provides an abdominal exercise device withmeans to improve an abdominal exercise program.

[0047] The invention further provides means for dynamically assisting orresisting an exercise routine. As such, the device may be used to assista beginner in one mode of operation while creating a greater resistancefor an advanced user in a second mode of operation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise device comprising a support frame; askeletal frame mounted on said support frame for rocking back and forthunder a manually applied force from a user between a first position anda second position; a rest mounted on said skeletal frame for receiving abody part of a user positioned within said skeletal frame; and means fordynamically resisting rocking of said skeletal frame relative to saidsupport frame from said first position to said second position.
 2. Anexercise device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rest is disposed onsaid skeletal frame to receive a head of a user lying in a supineposition within said skeletal frame.
 3. An exercise device as set forthin claim 2 wherein said rest is raised during rocking of said skeletalframe from said first position to said second position.
 4. An exercisedevice as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means includes a pair ofelongated elastic members, each said member being secured to and betweensaid support frame and said skeletal frame whereby rocking of saidskeletal frame on said support frame from said first position to saidsecond position causes stretching of said members.
 5. An exercise deviceas set forth in claim 3 wherein said means includes a pair of shockabsorbers.
 6. An exercise device as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidrest is lowered during rocking of said skeletal frame from said firstposition to said second position.
 7. An exercise device as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said means includes a pair of elongated elastic members,each said member being secured to and between said support frame andsaid skeletal frame whereby rocking of said skeletal frame on saidsupport frame from said first position to said second position causesstretching of said members.
 8. An exercise device as set forth in claim1 wherein said rest is disposed on said skeletal frame to receive atorso of a user lying within said skeletal frame.
 9. An exercise deviceas set forth in claim 8 wherein said rest is lowered during rocking ofsaid skeletal frame from said first position to said second position tofacilitate a user conducting a push-up exercise.
 10. An exercise deviceas set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pair of handles secured tosaid skeletal frame, each said handle being disposed adjacent said restfor manual grasping thereof during rocking of said skeletal frame onsaid support frame.
 11. An exercise device comprising a support frame; askeletal frame mounted on said support frame for rocking back and forthunder a manually applied force from a user between a lowered firstposition and a raised second position; a head rest mounted on saidskeletal frame for receiving a head of a user positioned within saidskeletal frame; and means for dynamically assisting rocking of saidskeletal frame relative to said support frame from said lowered firstposition to said raised second position.
 12. An exercise device as setforth in claim 11 wherein said means includes a pair of elongatedelastic members, each said member being secured to and between saidsupport frame and said skeletal frame whereby rocking of said skeletalframe on said support frame from said second position to said firstposition causes stretching of said members.
 13. An exercise device asset forth in claim 11 wherein said means includes a pair of shockabsorbers.
 14. An exercise device comprising a support frame; a skeletalframe pivotally mounted on said support frame on a pivot axis; a headrest mounted on said skeletal frame for receiving a head of a user lyingin a supine position within said skeletal frame; and a pair of elongatedelastic members, each said member being secured to and between saidsupport frame and said skeletal frame whereby pivoting of said skeletalframe on said support frame from a first position to a second positioncauses stretching of said members.
 15. An exercise device as set forthin claim 14 which further comprises two pairs of telescoping tubes, eachsaid pair of telescoping tubes being secured to and between said supportframe and said skeletal frame and having a respective one of saidelastic members disposed therein.
 16. An exercise device as set forth inclaim 14 wherein each said elastic member is secured to said supportframe on the same side of said pivot axis as said head rest todynamically increase the resistance to pivoting of said skeletal frameon said support frame during pivoting of said skeletal frame from alowered first position to a raised second position.
 17. An exercisedevice as set forth in claim 14 wherein each said elastic member issecured to said support frame on a side of said pivot axis opposite saidhead rest to dynamically assist pivoting of said skeletal frame on saidsupport frame during pivoting of said skeletal frame from a loweredposition to a raised position.
 18. An exercise device as set forth inclaim 14 wherein said support frame includes a pair of parallel railsfor receiving a user therebetween and at least one cross-bar secured toand between said rails.
 19. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14wherein said skeletal frame includes a pair of upstanding rails oppositesaid head rest and a cross-bar extending between said rails for manualgrasping thereof.
 20. An exercise device as set forth in claim 19wherein each said elastic member is secured at one end to a respectiveone of said rails.
 21. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 whichfurther comprises a back rest secured to and across said skeletal framefor receiving a back of a user lying in a supine position within saidskeletal frame.
 22. An exercise device as set forth in claim 21 whereinsaid back rest is a cloth strip having adjustable means thereon foradjusting said strip to and across said skeletal frame.
 23. An exercisedevice as set forth in claim 14 which further comprises a pair ofhandles secured to said skeletal frame, each said handle being disposedadjacent said head rest for manual grasping thereof during pivoting ofsaid skeletal frame on said support frame.
 24. An exercise device as setforth in claim 14 wherein said skeletal frame is made of multipleinterfitting pieces and is releaseably connected to said support frame.25. An exercise device comprising a support frame; a skeletal framepivotally mounted on said support frame on a pivot axis; a padded restmounted on said skeletal frame; and a pair of elongated elastic members,each said member being secured to and between said support frame andsaid skeletal frame whereby pivoting of said skeletal frame on saidsupport frame from a first position to a second position causesstretching of said members.
 26. An exercise device as set forth in claim25 which further comprises two pairs of telescoping tubes, each saidpair of telescoping tubes being secured to and between said supportframe and said skeletal frame and having a respective one of saidelastic members disposed therein.
 27. An exercise device as set forth inclaim 25 wherein each said elastic member is secured to said supportframe on the same side of said pivot axis as said padded rest todynamically increase the resistance to pivoting of said skeletal frameon said support frame during pivoting of said skeletal frame from alowered first position to a raised second position and wherein saidpadded rest is in a lowermost position with said skeletal frame in saidfirst position and a raised position with said skeletal frame in saidsecond position.
 28. An exercise device as set forth in claim 25 whereineach said elastic member is secured to said support frame on a side ofsaid pivot axis opposite said padded rest and wherein said padded restis in a raised position with said skeletal frame in said first positionand a lowered position with said skeletal frame in said second position.29. An exercise device as set forth in claim 28 wherein said padded restis sized to receive a torso of a user performing a push-up while lyingface down within said skeletal frame.
 30. An exercise device as setforth in claim 29 which further comprises a cloth strip secured to andacross said skeletal frame adjacent said padded rest for receiving atorso of a user performing a push-up while lying face down within saidskeletal frame.
 31. The combination comprising a skeletal frame mountedfor rocking back and forth on a support surface under a manually appliedforce from a user disposed within said frame between a first positionand a second position; a rest mounted on said skeletal frame forreceiving a body part of a user positioned within said frame; and meansfor dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking of said skeletalframe relative to the support surface from said first position to saidsecond position.
 32. An exercise device as set forth in claim 31 whereinsaid means comprises a pair of elongated elastic members, each saidmember being secured to and between said skeletal frame and the supportsurface whereby rocking of said skeletal frame on the support surfacefrom a first position to a second position causes stretching of saidmembers.
 33. An exercise device as set forth in claim 32 which furthercomprises two pairs of telescoping tubes, each said pair of telescopingtubes being secured to and between said support frame and said skeletalframe and having a respective one of said elastic members disposedtherein.
 34. An exercise device as set forth in claim 31 wherein saidskeletal frame has a pair of rails opposite said rest and a cross-barextending between said rails for manual grasping thereof.